Crowe blames cancer on touring ills

Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has described his cancer as "very treatable" and blamed the disease on the rigours of a touring lifestyle with New Zealand for two decades. Crowe, who has been diagnosed with grade two follicular lymphoma, said his immune system had weakened after suffering illnesses on certain tours, like when he picked up salmonella poisoning in Sri Lanka in 1984.

"It is very treatable. It is not aggressive," Crowe said in a statement. "Treatment will be decided in due course after further tests and consultation in the next two weeks.

"In the past, on travels during my cricket career, suffering salmonella and glandular fever has compromised me. The result of a weakened immune system over the last two decades is basically why I have become exposed to this sort of disease."

Crowe took the setback in a positive spirit and thanked his well-wishers for their support. He said the cancer had affected the lymph nodes in his neck, armpits and stomach.

"I am overwhelmed by the support and concern by so many around the world and wish to say a massive thanks... it has enabled me to come to terms with the shock from my recent lymphoma diagnosis faster," he said. "My mindset and fierce focus has kicked in just like it did when approaching a long innings in a Test match. I will focus on the important things in front of me, and nothing else."

One of New Zealand's most celebrated batsmen, Crowe, 50, had played 77 Tests between 1982 and 1995, before he was forced to quit international cricket due to a bad knee. He had briefly attempted to return to competitive cricket last November, saying that he considered it a means of self-motivation and a tool to get fit, but his comeback lasted just three balls, after he pulled a thigh muscle.

Manojkris, he wasn't coming up with excuses. He was coming up with valid reasons as to why he has been afflicted with this disease. He may be wrong but at least he is being open minded and not just accepting recieved wisdom on the subject. I suggest you wind your neck in and show the man some respect.

manojkris
on October 18, 2012, 23:51 GMT

We pray for your quick recovery, but stop winging about touring. You are not a Doctor. How about players who have played the much longer and toured more than you did, such as Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne.
Please do not come up with stupid excuses.

Chris_P
on October 18, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Good luck to Martin Crowe's fight. This guy was an absolute legend, no doubt in my mind, had he been an Aussie, English, or sub continent player, his average would have been easily 10+ or more higher but he had to bat on bowling strips nearly every home series. Cancer is a terrible disease with almost anything able to trigger the start of it. Frequent air travel has been one theory offered due to the pressurized atmosphere, but who really knows.

mikey76
on October 18, 2012, 21:01 GMT

Jonesy, cancer is a disease of the immune system. Everybody is born with cancer cells which our immune system kills. When your immune system is compromised it can lose the ability to destroy the cells and you get cancer. Cricinfo please publish!

sirvivfan
on October 18, 2012, 20:20 GMT

Very pleased to hear that cancer is treatable. May god bless him and wish him speedy recovery. From Pakistani supporter

bumsonseats
on October 18, 2012, 20:08 GMT

i cannot understand why touring would have aided this illness seems if thats the case many more individuals would have this sort of problem. but what do i know.

Lahori92
on October 18, 2012, 19:55 GMT

all the best mate get well soon. you were a great sight to watch, you were brilliant in that semi final of wc 92 but it was pakistan's cup

adisiva
on October 18, 2012, 18:03 GMT

Get Well Soon.
You have been a great cricketer and pray that you continue to have a great long healthy life.

jonesy2
on October 18, 2012, 17:43 GMT

hope martin gets well as soon as possible. but surely touring and getting a couple of minor illnesses hasnt had any affect whatsoever? what on earth is he basing that on because that seems just crazy?

on October 18, 2012, 15:57 GMT

Martin , Get well soon. Wishing you speedy recovery and thanks for the immense joy you have given us during your playing days.You are the one of the finest Batsman i have ever watched and i can bet you can get into any World XI of any era.

mikey76
on October 19, 2012, 1:36 GMT

Manojkris, he wasn't coming up with excuses. He was coming up with valid reasons as to why he has been afflicted with this disease. He may be wrong but at least he is being open minded and not just accepting recieved wisdom on the subject. I suggest you wind your neck in and show the man some respect.

manojkris
on October 18, 2012, 23:51 GMT

We pray for your quick recovery, but stop winging about touring. You are not a Doctor. How about players who have played the much longer and toured more than you did, such as Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne.
Please do not come up with stupid excuses.

Chris_P
on October 18, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Good luck to Martin Crowe's fight. This guy was an absolute legend, no doubt in my mind, had he been an Aussie, English, or sub continent player, his average would have been easily 10+ or more higher but he had to bat on bowling strips nearly every home series. Cancer is a terrible disease with almost anything able to trigger the start of it. Frequent air travel has been one theory offered due to the pressurized atmosphere, but who really knows.

mikey76
on October 18, 2012, 21:01 GMT

Jonesy, cancer is a disease of the immune system. Everybody is born with cancer cells which our immune system kills. When your immune system is compromised it can lose the ability to destroy the cells and you get cancer. Cricinfo please publish!

sirvivfan
on October 18, 2012, 20:20 GMT

Very pleased to hear that cancer is treatable. May god bless him and wish him speedy recovery. From Pakistani supporter

bumsonseats
on October 18, 2012, 20:08 GMT

i cannot understand why touring would have aided this illness seems if thats the case many more individuals would have this sort of problem. but what do i know.

Lahori92
on October 18, 2012, 19:55 GMT

all the best mate get well soon. you were a great sight to watch, you were brilliant in that semi final of wc 92 but it was pakistan's cup

adisiva
on October 18, 2012, 18:03 GMT

Get Well Soon.
You have been a great cricketer and pray that you continue to have a great long healthy life.

jonesy2
on October 18, 2012, 17:43 GMT

hope martin gets well as soon as possible. but surely touring and getting a couple of minor illnesses hasnt had any affect whatsoever? what on earth is he basing that on because that seems just crazy?

on October 18, 2012, 15:57 GMT

Martin , Get well soon. Wishing you speedy recovery and thanks for the immense joy you have given us during your playing days.You are the one of the finest Batsman i have ever watched and i can bet you can get into any World XI of any era.

on October 18, 2012, 15:24 GMT

i pry for u. bcoz i like ur batting style am never miss u

on October 18, 2012, 15:12 GMT

he was the star studded batsman for new zealand from 1984- 1992 he took his team through the semi finals in the 1992 cricket world cup he is the man of the tournament at that world cup with 454 runs it is hard to believe that a great sports man suffering from a cancer get well soon martin god bless you

Rastus
on October 18, 2012, 15:08 GMT

My Uncle has the same thing and has never played cricket in Sri Lanka.

on October 18, 2012, 15:06 GMT

All the best to Martin Crowe.. From what I noticed from him as a cricketer,am very sure that he will win this battle with ease..One of the best captains in his era who groomed his players(like deepak patel, greatbatch,larson,harris to name a few) to perform above their natural skills.. I started following cricket when I was 9 yrs old and that was exactly when Martin Crowe smashed every bowler apart during the 1992 world cup.. Long live Legend Martin Crowe.. This is one of your many fans from India...

tanveers
on October 18, 2012, 14:43 GMT

God bless you Martin. May you have a full and complete recovery!

KishorKumar25
on October 18, 2012, 14:18 GMT

Get Well Soon Martin. U r the real hero, loads of love and prayers.

subbass
on October 18, 2012, 14:09 GMT

Get well soon ! One of the best was Crowe.

kentjones
on October 18, 2012, 13:15 GMT

Here is to a swift recovery MC, regarded by many as one of the finest batsmen of all time!

on October 18, 2012, 13:11 GMT

one of the finest batsman i have seen from NZ. He retired when he was on pick of his form i dont know why he left cricket when he can make many runs but i must say he was a gre8 batsman whome i respect. god bless him like Yuvi he wis against cancer and i must say he will cos i know he is fighter. God Bless Crowe

on October 18, 2012, 13:08 GMT

My friends mother had this and 15 years have passed and she is still alive with not too many symptoms. Its the slowest of all cancers and people often live 15 20 years from th time of stage-2 diagnosis even without much treatment. If managed, the life span can be even more. I am sure Martin Crowe will have the best of treatments ans will live a long life.

on October 18, 2012, 13:01 GMT

Get well soon Martin..!!!

jplterrors
on October 18, 2012, 12:47 GMT

Not gd news for the premier batsman in world cricket 80s to early 90s that innings vs Pak in 92 WC was maybe the greatest ODI innings ever. Fight it MD!

on October 18, 2012, 12:41 GMT

You will recover for sure...

hnlns
on October 18, 2012, 11:35 GMT

He was to NZ what Jacque Kallis is today to SA. He was a class act as a batsman and a more than handy medium pacer. Add to this, he was a fantastic captain as seen in WC 1992. Hope he will fight on and cure this disease similar to what Yuvraj Singh was able to do. Wishing him all the very best.

on October 18, 2012, 11:25 GMT

Wishing you speedy recovery; Enjoyed watching you bat so many times....Am confident you will get well soon....

on October 18, 2012, 11:02 GMT

Hoping for a speedy recovery of your like our Yuvi!!!

Gappistan
on October 18, 2012, 11:00 GMT

RESPECT. May each day bring renewed strength and brighter times for you.

Rukky
on October 18, 2012, 10:57 GMT

I pray he will get well very soon. Always good wishes.

Barkers
on October 18, 2012, 10:49 GMT

I thought it was something to do with his new hair when I read follicular!
Here's to wishing you a speedy recovery Martin

Sinhabahu
on October 18, 2012, 10:47 GMT

Wishing the great man all the very best. Cancer is very treatable in the modern day, so here's hoping for a swift recovery!

G-Wyll
on October 18, 2012, 10:29 GMT

If you fight cancer like you fought opposition bowlers, you'll be all good Martin. Best of luck for the road ahead. Jeez, who in the Black Caps plays with the poise of the shot in the pic above these days? High followthrough, watching the ball off the bat with a straight eyeline, feet barely touching the ground to maximize timing at the last instance, hitting with momentum moving forward, but still perfectly balanced, and set like a sprinter out of the blocks for the run. Far out mate, the art of batsmanship in one faultless frame. Legend.

makeshift
on October 18, 2012, 10:25 GMT

One of the finest and enjoyable player to watch

I wish him well and full recovery

PrinceLokesh
on October 18, 2012, 10:20 GMT

God wil be with you,get well soon..all the best Martin.

bh007
on October 18, 2012, 10:06 GMT

Salute you martin, great inspiration for me. Focus and Mindset.

Naresh28
on October 18, 2012, 10:03 GMT

A classy NZ batsman and captain of old. You are not alone affected by cancer.
There are so many world over. I am sure you can fight it just like Yuvi of India
did. Wish you the best. Cancer is probably the NO1 threat in the world today.

ooper_cut
on October 18, 2012, 10:01 GMT

One of the most fantastic batsman NZ has ever produced. Loved the way he treated Wasim Akram & Imran Khan during the WC 1992. Get well Martin, there are a lot of people praying for you.

on October 18, 2012, 9:39 GMT

Get well soon champion! Our wishes are with you :)

No featured comments at the moment.

on October 18, 2012, 9:39 GMT

Get well soon champion! Our wishes are with you :)

ooper_cut
on October 18, 2012, 10:01 GMT

One of the most fantastic batsman NZ has ever produced. Loved the way he treated Wasim Akram & Imran Khan during the WC 1992. Get well Martin, there are a lot of people praying for you.

Naresh28
on October 18, 2012, 10:03 GMT

A classy NZ batsman and captain of old. You are not alone affected by cancer.
There are so many world over. I am sure you can fight it just like Yuvi of India
did. Wish you the best. Cancer is probably the NO1 threat in the world today.

bh007
on October 18, 2012, 10:06 GMT

Salute you martin, great inspiration for me. Focus and Mindset.

PrinceLokesh
on October 18, 2012, 10:20 GMT

God wil be with you,get well soon..all the best Martin.

makeshift
on October 18, 2012, 10:25 GMT

One of the finest and enjoyable player to watch

I wish him well and full recovery

G-Wyll
on October 18, 2012, 10:29 GMT

If you fight cancer like you fought opposition bowlers, you'll be all good Martin. Best of luck for the road ahead. Jeez, who in the Black Caps plays with the poise of the shot in the pic above these days? High followthrough, watching the ball off the bat with a straight eyeline, feet barely touching the ground to maximize timing at the last instance, hitting with momentum moving forward, but still perfectly balanced, and set like a sprinter out of the blocks for the run. Far out mate, the art of batsmanship in one faultless frame. Legend.

Sinhabahu
on October 18, 2012, 10:47 GMT

Wishing the great man all the very best. Cancer is very treatable in the modern day, so here's hoping for a swift recovery!

Barkers
on October 18, 2012, 10:49 GMT

I thought it was something to do with his new hair when I read follicular!
Here's to wishing you a speedy recovery Martin